Insider Threats and Their Impact on Data Security

Organizations around the globe are well aware of the consequences associated with data breaches. Sensitive data that ends up in the wrong hands can be sold on the black market and eventually lead to identify theft. Typically, enterprise security focuses on safeguards to prevent hackers from penetrating the network and gaining access to this data. Although this is a good start, organizations often naively overlook the dangers of data theft initiated by an insider.

Insider threats take place when a trusted insider (current or former employee, contractor or business partners), with access to an organization’s trusted data, either unknowingly or intentionally participates in activities that negatively compromise the safety and security of this information.